As I mentioned in the previous chapter, this took me 7-8 months to complete. So, I'm a little bit drained, at least for this story.
Chapter 5 will come someday, but I don't know when. Until then, though, I hope that you enjoy this chapter!
"Bea, let's go on a date!"
Beatrice set down the book that she was reading, only blinking at him for a moment in bewilderment. She didn't expect him to suddenly blurt that out, and so passionately, no less.
As Subaru adopted his signature yet silly pose, she cracked a smile. She was truly weak to his theatrics.
"Like a romantic outing?" she asked curiously. "But we already spend every day together, I suppose. In that regard, Betty is more than content with simply keeping things as they currently are, in fact."
He blushed and shied away from making any additional comments for the moment. It was clear that her words had flattered him, in which Beatrice couldn't help but briefly puff out her chest in pride. Her charm was truly second to none.
She lost her stance, refocusing on the conversation at hand. Keeping her grin, she raised an eyebrow. "Can Betty ask what prompted this, I wonder?"
With embarrassment clear in his expression, he avoided her gaze. "In my homeland, it's something of a tradition that two lovers can do. It helps show their dedication and love for one another."
Beatrice hummed in acknowledgement, giving his words some thought. She didn't quite understand its necessity, given their particular bond and closeness already, but a romantic outing did sound like a pleasant idea.
Though, as she studied his face, Beatrice inferred that he felt guilty about something. For the life of her, however, she couldn't determine why.
Luckily, Subaru himself gave her the answer, "Honestly, I feel bad that I haven't asked you sooner."
So, that's what it was, she realized.
"It's been a while since we've gotten together and I'm only now asking you out on a date," he continued with an awkward chuckle. "How pathetic is tha— Hey!"
She reached up to flick his forehead, interrupting his little speech. "Betty's Subaru, despite being incredibly smart, is also prone to being incredibly silly, in fact."
"Oi!" he exclaimed, dramatically holding his head in faux pain. "That was rude!"
"And demeaning yourself is supposed to be better, I wonder?" She sighed, shaking her head disapprovingly. "Betty isn't mad, only disappointed by the fact that you continue to put yourself down."
Subaru would've come up with a retort, but the firm, narrowed look in her eyes made him stop short. He knew that he was in the wrong.
Solemnly, he replied, "Sorry, Bea."
With a satisfied humph, she nodded. "You better be, I suppose. Otherwise, you'll be dealing with Betty a lot tonight."
"… What'll my punishment be this time?"
A satisfied, teasing grin spread across her lips. "Cuddle time, I suppose. Lots and lots of cuddle time. We will go to bed early, and you won't leave Betty's arms until the sun rises in the morning."
Subaru's intensifying blush declared her victory. Beatrice couldn't have been more proud of herself.
"However, let Betty ask you this," she began, clearing her throat. "If I agreed to this date, what would be your plan, I wonder?"
He seemed to recompose himself quickly, becoming excitable as he developed a sweet grin to match her own. "I had a few ideas, but I wanted to take you out into town tonight. We can get there a little early and talk while we wait."
With her interest piqued, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "What would we be waiting for?"
"I think it's best if I keep that a surprise." He crossed his arms with a confident smile, nodding to himself in satisfaction. "All I'll say is that Emilia helped me with the plan, and I promise that you'll love it."
Beatrice's resolve crumbled. He'd even gone as far as to get outside help for this. There was no way that she could refuse the date anymore, not after he clearly put so much effort into planning it.
When she looked into his eyes, her heart nearly exploded. She barely held herself back from jumping into his arms, noting the deep love and admiration in his gaze. It was like his eyes were enchanted with a magnificent sparkle.
Subaru's heart was ignited with a passionate flame: a flame which spread to her heart, as well. She loved it.
With a red face, she pouted, glanced away, and mumbled, "Betty will happily go on date with you, in fact."
She nervously twirled one of her hair drills between her fingers, smiling as Subaru erupted into a celebratory cheer. He was clearly joyful, ecstatic that she'd agreed to their date.
Beatrice gladly echoed his cheer, albeit shyly.
The day proceeded like any other, for the most part. Nothing had changed and their closeness remained as unrivaled as ever.
Beatrice, however, began to feel strangely. She identified it as a weird, butterfly-like feeling in her stomach. At times, it even made her feel sickly. It wasn't unpleasant; it was just unusual.
That feeling always became prominent upon thinking of her impending date. She couldn't understand why.
Nothing between her and Subaru had fundamentally changed. It was only going to be a simple, romantic outing.
… So, why? Why was it making her so anxious?
When evening came, the pair parted in order to get ready separately. Beatrice in particular found herself standing in front of a big, full-body mirror, trying to find a suitable outfit to wear.
She pouted at herself. Her dissatisfaction was clear with every outfit that she discarded.
Changing her clothes was easy. It was a simple matter of manipulating the mana around her body. Being content with what she chose, however, was a different story.
None of them felt right. No matter what she manifested — no matter what style she chose — none of the outfits possessed the vitality that she sought. None of them would impress her Subaru.
She couldn't help but keep thinking about him. He'd probably tease her for having such a silly crisis, yet he'd still help her find a solution. He was just amazing like that.
"Ha! Look at who's the simp now!"
A voice called out from the doorway, making Beatrice jump and whirl around with a disapproving glare. "That's rich coming from you, maid!"
"You should've seen your face, Beatrice-sama," Ram responded with obvious amusement, sporting a knowing smirk. "Even a child would know that you were thinking about that fool, Barusu."
Her words caused Beatrice to grumble and turn away. She couldn't be bothered to deal with Ram's shenanigans. There were currently more important things to worry about.
Despite that, out of embarrassment or otherwise, she found herself muttering, "How long have you been standing there, I wonder?"
Ram laughed a little. "Long enough."
Beatrice only grumbled a little more as her cheeks flushed red. She'd been caught.
Distracted by her thoughts, she failed to hear Ram's footsteps approaching from behind. The maid gently grabbed Beatrice's shoulders, making her tense. Ram then proceeded to give Beatrice a top-to-bottom examination, humming in thought as she fully inspected Beatrice's figure.
"Are you nervous?" Ram asked.
Beatrice scoffed. "Me, nervous? What an absurd idea. Betty isn't nervous, I suppose. Why would Betty be nervous?"
With an amused giggle, Ram's eyes landed on Beatrice's chest. "Why are you using pads, Beatrice-sama?"
The spirit's face lit up in an instant. In an attempt to save face, she desperately began sputtering, "W-W-What are you t-talking about?! B-Betty isn't w-wearing any—"
"Ah." Beatrice halted her haphazard defense as Ram's face morphed into an expression of stoic realization. "Ram understands the issue now."
Beatrice just looked on in confusion as Ram sighed in disappointment. "Barusu may be a sexual deviant, but he certainly wouldn't care about these types of details," Ram said. "I thought that you, of all people, would've known that by now, Beatrice-sama."
Having taken her words the wrong way, Beatrice narrowed her eyes at the maid. "What're you saying?"
"Ram will put it bluntly," she began. "Wear your original outfit and don't make any unnecessary changes to yourself."
It took a moment for Beatrice to properly register Ram's advice. Still somewhat confused, she asked, "Why, I wonder?"
"None of those changes capture who you are, Beatrice-sama," Ram straightforwardly answered. Her expression, while mostly stoic, held a particular smugness to it. "As such, Ram insists that you keep the original look."
Beatrice faltered, giving Ram's words some thought. She doubtfully glanced down at herself, muttering with uncertainty, "But shouldn't Betty look nice for her date?"
Ram clicked her tongue. "Like Barusu, you seem prone to being an idiot sometimes."
"Oi!" she exclaimed, fixing Ram with an offended glare, much to the latter's amusement. "Just get on with it, I suppose."
With a small smile, the maid continued, "There's no need to try impressing that man. He's already impressed by you enough on the daily." Ram snorted at the thought. "Barusu's goal isn't to see you in some skimpy outfit or some fancy dress. That idiot is asking you on this 'date' solely because he wants to be with you."
Beatrice froze. She wanted to smack herself for being such a silly fool.
Ram was right. Subaru wouldn't care about the accessories that she wore; he just wanted to be with her. He always did.
Her lips gradually curved upward while her heart skipped a few beats. Even when he wasn't next to her, that cheesy man always found ways to make her chest flutter.
Beatrice let out a humph, facing away from Ram. "Who knew that an admirer of Roswaal would be capable of giving such good advice, I suppose."
"Ram has always been brilliant," she boasted, "but it seems that everyone here is too ignorant to notice."
"For the record," Beatrice started, looking back at Ram with the smuggest smirk that she could muster, "you should ditch the pads, too."
Ram's eyes uncharacteristically widened for a split second. "Ram doesn't need pads."
Beatrice chortled with obvious amusement. It was a little satisfying to make Ram falter, if even only for a moment.
Bringing her attention back to the mirror, Beatrice started to focus on the mana around her body. Her outfit sparkled and glowed until it changed completely, returning to the look of her normal dress.
She took some time to spin at different angles, admiring the outfit that she always wore. It was perfect.
"Much better, Beatrice-sama," Ram complimented, having seemingly recovered. "However, Ram would like to suggest one small change."
Beatrice gave her an inquisitive look. "What would that be, I wonder?"
The maid put her lips to the spirit's ear and, in a quick whisper, revealed her intent. Beatrice's eyes lit up, smiling nervously.
"Betty isn't sure," she said, slightly doubtful. She blushed and glanced away, but still smiled giddily. "Are you really sure that he'll like that?"
Ram grinned mischievously. "Trust me. Barusu will love it."
Meanwhile, Subaru stood at the mansion's main entrance, eager yet anxious. He didn't sport his usual attire, wearing something casual but nice, courtesy of Garfiel and Otto's help.
"Don't worry, Cap'n!" Garfiel called out, giving him an encouraging thumbs up. "She's gonna love it!"
Subaru gave a nervous grin in return. "Thanks, Garfiel. I think so, too."
"Then why do you look so nervous, Natsuki-san?" With his arms crossed, Otto fixed Subaru with a narrowed look. "This behavior is rather unlike you. Have faith in your abilities. This gift is something that you've crafted yourself, so it's only natural that Beatrice-sama will love it."
Otto's words sparked something in Subaru's soul, giving him confidence and making him laugh. "You're right, Otto. I'm just being silly, worrying over nothing. Man, if Bea saw me right now, she'd probably tease the hell out of me."
"Should Betty really do so, I wonder?"
He froze at the sound of his girlfriend's voice. As he fruitlessly tried to hide his embarrassment, Otto and Garfiel got a good laugh at his expense.
Their reactions didn't last long, however, as Beatrice's footsteps came closer and closer. The boys collectively looked on as each of their expressions dawned different variations of surprise.
Subaru in particular held mixed emotions. They were all positive, but they meshed together so crudely that he became lost for words.
Beatrice coyly turned her head, addressing him with a sweet-sounding voice, "What do you think, Subaru?"
He stared at her, unable to stop admiring the sight before his eyes. "You have your hair down."
Beatrice giggled at his reaction. "Indeed I do, Subaru."
Otto suddenly gave Subaru a pat on the back as Garfiel lightly nudged him with his elbow. They both walked off, but not before wishing Subaru luck, giving him a wink and thumbs up respectively.
Subaru's cheeks became redder. He felt like a deer in headlights, unmoving even as Beatrice approached and took hold of his hands.
"Do you like it?"
The softness of her voice pulled at the strings of his heart. It made him sweat as his brain short-circuited. He was hardly able to think.
This girl was way too far out of his league.
He shyly glanced away, but he consciously held her hands. After struggling for a bit, he finally managed to say, "You look amazing."
Blinding rays of light burst from Beatrice's gleeful expression. She didn't need to say anything for him to know how ecstatic she was.
His gaze drifted back to her, forming a smile of his own. As he looked into the butterflies in her eyes, Subaru found himself in a trance. She really was an exceptional, beautiful girl.
"Did you brush it yourself?" he found himself asking.
She shook her head. "Ram gave Betty the idea, but neither of us are particularly skilled at brushing hair. Emilia volunteered to lend us her assistance, I suppose."
He laughed, causing her to pout.
Subaru was happy that he and Beatrice had everyone's support. He greatly, truly appreciated it.
They had such amazing friends. He wanted to do something to thank them, sometime.
"So, shall we depart, my Prince?"
He chuckled at her teasing words, his smile widening. With their hands still together, he gently guided her so that she faced the door.
Playing along with her scene, Subaru moved in front of her. He lifted her hand, leaning forward with dignified politeness as he planted a soft kiss on the back of her palm.
After lifting his head he gestured ahead, fixing her with a joyful grin. "We shall now depart, my Princess."
Seconds later, their laughter echoed throughout every hall in the mansion.
(…)
The afternoon sky gradually shifted into dusk. Everything seemed tranquil and calm as the couple journeyed along to Subaru's mystery location.
That's what it was like on the surface, anyway. Subaru and Beatrice masked their respective thoughts extremely well.
They walked side-by-side, never once letting their hands separate, yet their minds unconsciously remained distant as small insecurities ate away at their subconsciouses. Neither of them knew that they were experiencing nearly the exact same feelings — at the exact same time, no less.
Though minuscule, their thoughts further provoked their timidness. Unorthodox questions ran through their heads.
Did they smell?
Did their breaths reek?
Were their hands sweaty?
… Yes, their hands were sweaty, though neither of them wished to accept it.
As they continued to walk, the two eventually found the will to not dwell on such demoralizing questions. It was difficult to do, but they somehow managed.
Even then, their respective nerves didn't dissipate.
For Subaru, a date meant something infinitely special. Because of that, he actually understood and accepted it as the source of his anxiety.
How could he not be anxious? After all, he was on a date with the person that he loved most.
Subaru's goal was to make this outing special. He wanted to give Beatrice a truly unforgettable experience. That was why he did his best to steel his nerves, swearing that he'd make her the happiest girl in the world.
Beatrice, however, still didn't share his perspective regarding the necessity of their date. She was happy to be there with him — to hold his hand as they took a peaceful stroll — but why did it have to be called a "date"?
Nevertheless, she trusted him. If a date was supposed to be something meaningful, then she had no reason to doubt it. She wanted to make this night special for him, just as he was trying to do for her.
Suddenly, her face felt as though it had been scorched. It paired well with the longing feeling in her chest: a feeling that only continued to swell, urging her closer to him.
Her heart leapt bounds. It did so over, and over, and over again.
It only happened when she extensively thought about their current outing. She couldn't understand it. The depths of her feelings made little sense.
Then again, Subaru said that dates were significant in showing a couple's bond. She herself even acknowledged that just moments ago.
… Perhaps that was the answer.
Beatrice glanced at him, observing his almost equally reddened face. The sight genuinely surprised her, but it made her smile.
Was he having the same thoughts as her, too? Her eyes couldn't help but linger on him for a while; the sight was just too cute.
In that way, they were very alike, she supposed.
Beatrice considered herself and Subaru to be very similar people. It was a very big reason as to why they got along so well. They understood each other.
With confidence, Beatrice knew that they would always understand each other.
Despite that, Subaru and Beatrice both knew that their future wouldn't always be full of light. Days will eventually come where they will struggle. Subaru's occasional nightmares attested to that.
Even so, Beatrice knew that they would conquer the encroaching darkness together. Side by side, they could do anything.
She couldn't help but ponder about their future. Her musings ran so extensively deep that she became entirely lost in thought.
Imaginary bells rang in her ears while soft chimes loomed on all sides. She shifted her sights to Subaru and, for a moment, she saw him wearing a suit and tie. Her eyes lingered on him, too entranced by his dashing attire to process anything else. When she finally glanced down, Beatrice found that she was wearing a big, frilly white dress.
A small gleam suddenly shone from her hand, drawing her attention to the ring which comfortably rested on one of her fingers.
At that exact moment, Beatrice snapped out of her stupor. She became fully aware of the scene that was taking place before her eyes.
She squeaked, covering her mouth with her hands in a fit of embarrassment. The images of her imagination began to fade, but her cheeks continued to dye themselves in a deep shade of red.
"Bea?"
She heard Subaru's voice, but gave no indication of acknowledgement. Her mind was simply too focused on the memory of what she'd just imagined.
Subaru kept attempting to reach her, "Are you okay? Hey, Bea? Are you there? Earth to Bea!"
Unfortunately, she still didn't acknowledge him. She only continued to stare off into space.
Without changing her expression, Beatrice wordlessly extended one of her arms outward. Subaru looked perplexed, watching her action with genuine worry and confusion.
SMACK!
Beatrice had slapped herself across the face with incredible force.
She took deep, dramatic breaths. Her eyes snapped open as a loud, frustrated groan escaped from her lips. It caught Subaru completely off-guard; he didn't know how to react.
Her eyes bore into him, fixing him with a fierce gaze. She grabbed his shoulders, shaking him back and forth as she exclaimed, "What is wrong with me?!"
When she finally released him, Subaru was left baffled. She continued to take deep breaths, clearly feeling hot and flustered, as his demeanor became more awkward and concerned.
Feeling lost, he could only stutter out, "N-Nothing?"
She only continued to take deep breaths until she eventually settled down. Her hands covered her reddened face, trying in vain to hide her embarrassment. All the while, Subaru remained utterly bewildered.
Beatrice was still lost in a world of her own. She looked away from him, not wanting to acknowledge how far her imagination had gone.
At the same time, she wanted to embrace it. She felt a desire — a desire for that future — swell in her chest. It made her heart soar over the moon.
… But it was too early for something like that.
She faced him, meeting his worried gaze. She felt guilty for troubling him, but her appreciation significantly outweighed that guilt.
Weirdly, she couldn't help but wonder if Subaru shared the same thoughts as her.
Her eyes widened. She was hit with a realization that left her stunned yet nevertheless enlightened.
She understood the true purpose of a date — its significance in the grand scheme of their relationship. It all built up to that future.
… And what an amazing future it was.
Beatrice suddenly fixed Subaru with a sweet smile. It caught him by surprise, yet it made his heart flutter and dance like a butterfly.
"Betty is sorry for worrying you," she sincerely said. With some awkwardness, she shyly continued, "Betty was in a bit of an odd headspace, I suppose."
Subaru blinked at her. Beatrice's earlier actions made it seem like something was wrong, but her mannerisms now suggested anything but that. Nevertheless, he grinned.
With an affectionate tone, he replied, "It's okay, Bea. I'm just glad that you're alright."
"Betty is more than alright, in fact." Her smile widened as she reached forward, eagerly taking his hand. "We shouldn't waste any more time, I suppose!"
She hurriedly dragged him along, ignorant to Subaru's flushing face. Still, he didn't protest, keeping his grin and laughing as they went on their way.
Beatrice was simply elated. Such a prosperous future couldn't come soon enough.
(…)
"We're finally here, Bea!"
After walking for some time, they reached their destination. By now, the sun had set and the stars shone brightly in the night sky.
Within a small clearing in the forest, they stopped atop a rather tall incline. It was flat enough to relax on, allowing the two to simply sit and relax as they admired the scenery.
Beatrice let out a light sigh, being the first to sit down. "That was quite the lengthy journey," she said, smiling. "But Betty enjoyed every second of it, in fact."
Sure, she may have had one or two embarrassing mental slip-ups along the way, but that didn't mean she didn't enjoy it. In fact, those slip-ups only made her enjoy the journey even more.
Subaru matched her smile before doing his signature pose. "I'm glad that you had fun! I did, too!"
Beatrice laughed, which made him laugh, too. He sat down beside her, taking her hand before they intertwined their fingers. They scooted closer to one another, finding themselves wholly comfortable in their positions.
With a sly, teasing expression, Beatrice fixed her eyes on him and asked, "You really won't tell Betty what's coming, I wonder?"
"I told you, it's a surprise!" he said with a laugh. With a wink and a smile, he confidently continued, "But all I'll say is that the night will only get better from here on out!."
Her curiosity piqued, causing her to pout and flutter her eyelashes. With a teasingly lighthearted tone, she prodded, "You really won't tell your cute, amazing, and lovable girlfriend about your plans?"
Subaru laughed again at her petty tactics. Nevertheless, he dramatically hummed, as if giving her words some thought.
"Well, I suppose I can tell you," he said, causing the butterflies in her eyes to flutter. With a small smirk, he continued, "But with this knowledge comes a hefty price."
Her expression suddenly became serious, but her eyes twinkled mischievously at the presented opportunity. "What's the price? Name it, I suppose."
"In exchange for knowing the surprises that I've planned for you …" he trailed off. Raising his free hand, he pointed a single finger into the air. "... No cuddles for one week!"
"Unacceptable, in fact!"
Subaru chuckled at the quickness of her reply. He shrugged, never once losing his grin. "No price, no reward."
Beatrice intensified her pout, letting out a "humph" as she faced away from him. "Very well, then. Keep your secrets, I suppose."
"Trust me," he said. "You'll love what I have planned.
"I know," she quickly replied.
Beatrice faced Subaru again, letting him see the massive grin that she was hiding. After a moment, that grin turned sly.
"But Betty won't love it as much as she loves you, in fact."
Subaru's jolted a bit, clearly flustered by her words. "Now you're just teasing me with those cheesy lines!"
Beatrice giggled with a smug expression. There was a rewarding red tint present on his cheeks. It satisfied her, fueling her pride.
"Betty meant every word, in fact," she assured him, putting a hand to her heart. With a teasing smirk, she spoke again, "But consider this payback for suggesting such a ludicrous price!"
Subaru decided to retort, "Well, I for one thought that it was a fair trade."
"How dare you!" Beatrice exclaimed, clearly offended. "Do you not understand how important Betty's cuddle time is? There is a required four hour minimum each day, I suppose! Betty's cuddle time with her Subaru serves as a source of energy, in fact! Without the acquitted time, Betty won't be able to function—"
"You know, this kind of teasing is going to make me have a heart attack one day," Subaru interrupted with a dramatic huff, flattered yet embarrassed by her words.
"Betty just can't help herself." Her eyes lingered on his expression in awe, admiring his every feature. "You just have the cutest reactions, I suppose!"
He perked up, smiling like an idiot as he awkwardly shifted his eyes away. "I can't compare at all to how cute you are, Bea."
"W-What're you talking about, I wonder?" Her face flushed, turning away as she flaunted her hair with faux hubris. "Betty isn't cute at all! I am a beautiful maiden, in fact!"
Subaru snorted in amusement, letting out a short hum as he waved away her words. "Nah. You're definitely more on the cute side. You're probably one of the — no, you are the cutest girl I've ever seen!"
His compliments went straight to her head, overloading her in an instant. She zoned out for a minute, only coming back to her senses upon hearing Subaru's laughter
For a moment, Beatrice became mesmerized by him in his entirety. To her, everything about him was so undeniably beautiful.
She looked deep into his eyes. She found them especially enchanting, especially as they seemed to sparkle under the light of the stars. Yet, mysteriously, they also seemed to long for something — something which Beatrice couldn't feasibly determine.
The wind blew. Bristling leaves filled the void of silence as the couple's hair became caught up in the breeze. Their hands, which had intertwined so easily — so naturally — remained together. It made them comfortable, putting them completely at ease.
"You really are amazing, Beatrice."
Beatrice's eyes nearly widened at his sudden proclamation, only to soften along with her lingering smile. Her heart ached for a moment, only to subside as her gaze wandered into the night sky. "What're you saying?" she whispered. "Subaru is far more amazing than Betty, in fact."
He chuckled a little as she gave him a glance. His gaze fixated upon the sky as her eyes focused on the faint smile that he still possessed. Her mind wandered.
Beatrice knew that her admiration for him couldn't be put into words. The true depths of her feelings were truly bottomless.
Her gaze studied his expression. Beatrice could sense his prior longing, but she could also sense his burrowed trauma.
It unnerved and worried her. Beatrice felt that something unfathomable, far beyond her comprehension, was being kept hidden from her. It broke her heart.
She wanted to reach out. She wanted to help him. She wanted to lend an open ear to all of his worries and fears. Those wishes of hers were born out of such deep desperation that she'd be willing to do anything to achieve them.
… But she knew that it was impossible. Subaru wanted to tell her, but he couldn't, all because of his curse.
That curse brought him nothing but misfortune. Beatrice wanted nothing more than to expel it.
She deeply desired to free him from the chains that bound his soul, but it was far beyond her power to do. It made her feel useless.
Despite everything, however, Subaru adamantly remained by her side. He gave her his full trust, relying on her for comfort and solace. Beatrice earnestly accepted him, trying her hardest to become the best partner that she could be.
Even with her shortcomings, Subaru always accepted her. He loved her in spite of her flaws and continued to hold her close to his heart. Naturally, Beatrice reciprocated those feelings in full.
He let himself be weak around her. He trusted her enough, more than anyone, to see that side of him.
Sometimes he would cry in her arms, vaguely venting about all of his struggles. She may not fully understand his plight, but she always held him, soothing him until he became at peace.
… Whatever hurt him, she would never forgive.
Beatrice loved Subaru. That love ran deep throughout her very being, etching itself completely into her heart and soul, never to be removed. He was her everything.
That was why—
"Hey, Bea, look!" Subaru exclaimed, snapping her out of her musings. She saw his smile widen as he pointed to the sky. "It's starting!"
Her eyes trailed behind his hand, following it to the stars above. Seconds later, something zoomed across the night sky, creating a magnificent streak of light that made her eyes widen.
More followed after, decorating the night sky in a plethora of bright, shining streaks. Beatrice couldn't help but stare as she continued to observe the amazing spectacle before her eyes.
"It's— It's beautiful."
Subaru's face brightened. He was just as mesmerized as her.
"This is called a meteor shower," he softly spoke, his voice laced with an unyielding passion. "They're caused by 'meteoroids' that get a little too close to the atmosphere. When that happens, they become 'meteors.' They're moving so fast and burning so hot that it creates a streak of light in the sky as they fall to the Earth. Even where I come from, something like this doesn't happen very often."
Beatrice's eyes sparkled, utterly fascinated by such a rare, yet outstandingly beautiful event. Her heart fluttered, like a butterfly flapping its wings, as this moment forever imprinted itself upon her memory.
A part of her couldn't believe that he took her to see something so magical, but it was just so like him to do.
Subaru was such a wonderful guy. What did she do to deserve him?
"There's also something called a shooting star," he spoke again. "It's basically this, but only one meteor instead of a whole bunch. They're even rarer to see, so people tend to make a wish whenever they see one."
She momentarily shifted, breaking the trance which held her gaze to the sky. With a small glance at Subaru, she whispered, "A wish?"
"Yeah." He nodded, looking at her. "I know that it's not the same but, if you're interested, how about we make a wish together?"
Beatrice brightened, giddily grinning as she eagerly fixed her eyes back to the sky. "Betty has a wish to make, in fact."
Neither of them spoke again. With their respective eyes trained upward, they watched as the volley of meteors continued to fall. With every second that passed, the meteors became fewer, and the shower that they presented gradually reached its end. The magnificent lights which decorated the night sky began to disappear.
Only upon the very last streak of light did they make their wishes.
When it was finally over, Beatrice exhaled in satisfaction. She leaned on Subaru's shoulder, snuggling against his arm as their hands remained firmly together. She wanted nothing more than to always be by his side.
That was why she knew, with unwavering assurance, that her wish would one day be granted.
Beatrice moved her face away from his arm, fixing him with twinkling eyes as she considered a genius scheme. She rubbed her fingertips together like a greedy businesswoman, cackling mischievously. "Would you like to know Betty's wish, I wonder? If so, then Betty will happily tell you for a price, I suppose."
"Absolutely not!" Subaru quickly refused, much to her surprise. "If you say your wish, it won't come true! Everybody knows that!"
She didn't know who "everybody" was supposed to be referring to. This was the first time that she was hearing about such a thing.
Beatrice humphed, looking off to the side. "You're no fun, I suppose."
"And you're cruel." He chuckled before exclaiming, "But I can't believe I'd be charged just to know my Bea's wish!"
Her gaze flickered with amusement as she retorted, "Subaru didn't seem to mind charging Betty for the same reason, I suppose."
At that, Subaru seemed to recover instantly, fixing her with a confident grin. "Just to dissuade you. But the surprise was worth it, wasn't it?"
Beatrice remained silent for a moment as her lips curved upward into a big smile. With a deeply affectionate tone, she answered, "Yeah, it was all worth it, in fact. Thank you so much, Subaru."
He gently squeezed her hand, showing her the signature smile that she'd come to admire and love so much. "Anytime, Beatrice."
A temporary silence overtook them as they simply basked in the moment.
"For the same reason, Betty will keep her wish a secret, I suppose." She closed her eyes, resigning her expression to one of contentment. "You'll find out what Betty wished for in time. When that time comes, I'm sure that you'll love it, in fact."
Subaru stared at her for a moment, unable to hide his sense of awe. With a softened expression, he nodded in acceptance. "I can't wait for that day to come, Bea."
Neither could she.
Beatrice chose to snuggle into him again. They relaxed, listening to the sounds of nature around them. It was a peaceful atmosphere, one that they could simply enjoy for as long as they'd like.
"Oh, by the way," Subaru began, his voice teetering on the edge of anxiousness and overwhelming excitement, "I'm not done yet."
Beatrice's eyes widened. She moved away in order to fix him with a staggered look. Subaru only winked at her.
For the first time since they arrived, their hands separated. Subaru moved himself away, putting a small amount of distance between them as his cheeks became red. With a goofy grin on his face, he started reaching behind his back.
Her mind jumped through hoops. As Subaru pulled out a black box, moderate in size, Beatrice knew what was coming.
She began sweating bullets, her heart beating faster than it ever should. She could feel the world around her slow to a stop. Her breaths became uneven as anxious anticipation sept into the very core of her being.
Beatrice resolved herself and steeled her will, taking in a deep, shaky breath. With tears welling up in her eyes, she parted her lips and spoke without any hesitation, "Yes."
Subaru's heart went from pounding in nervousness to flatlining in surprise. "H-Huh?"
She softened her expression, unable to hide her joy. She openly began to cry, grasping at her heart so that it wouldn't beat out of her chest. "Yes, Subaru," she quavered. "I will marry you."
His eyes widened. His lips began to tremble and he nearly lost his balance. Subaru wiped away some of the water that formed in his eyes, keeping his smile as he shyly avoided her gaze. "Am I really that obvious?"
At hearing his muttered words, Beatrice wanted to pounce on him. She wanted to hold him in her arms and shower him with endless kisses. She simply couldn't contain her happiness.
"Betty was secretly hoping for this," she coyly admitted. "It's been on Betty's mind, I suppose."
Subaru's heart skipped a beat, recalling her strange behavior during their walk. Could this be what she was thinking about?
He shrunk himself down a little bit, retaining his expression. With a bit of nervousness, he asked, "You don't think it's too soon?"
"Not at all," came her immediate reply. Her grin was so bright that it was blinding. "I don't care about that at all, I suppose. All I care about is being with you, in fact."
Subaru couldn't agree more.
He hurriedly wiped away his tears before they could blur his vision. He eagerly revealed the box that he'd been holding, gesturing it out to her before gradually opening it. Beatrice's eyes widened, nearly covering her mouth with her hands as she saw what contained within.
Slightly downcast, Subaru spoke, "I made this myself. I know that it isn't a ring, but—"
"I love it."
With unsteady hands, she reached forward. Her fingers gingerly grabbed hold of the object, freeing it from its resting place. With great care, she held it in a loving cradle, engraving each and every detail into her memory.
In her hands was a hair piece in the shape of a butterfly. It had been painted with a mixture of purple and pink: her signature colors.
A thin, four-pointed star overlapped the butterfly. Its edges extended far past the gaps in the butterfly's wings, yet it remained firmly attached to the center. It was painted white, shining brightly like a star in the night sky.
The hair piece was a symbol of their bond. A butterfly which represented her, and a star which represented him.
It was perfect.
Unable to restrain her tears any longer, they freely flowed down her cheeks. Beatrice could hardly keep herself composed. Her smile only widened as she continued to weep in pure, unbridled joy.
"W-Will you do the honors, Subaru?" she stuttered, slowly presenting the hair piece to him.
Beatrice tilted her head towards him, showing her intentions through her actions. Subaru understood, feeling his heart nearly explode as he reached out, carefully taking the object from her hands.
He leaned forward, bringing the hair piece to her head. He positioned it above her left eye, gently attaching it to her hair with attentive precision. Once it was securely in place, he slowly drew himself, admiring her new look.
Subaru was hardly able to catch himself as Beatrice leapt into his arms. She pulled him close as she planted her lips firmly onto his.
Words couldn't describe how he felt in that moment. His body moved on the feelings of his heart alone, embracing her and reciprocating the kiss with every ounce of passion that he had.
Breathless, the two eventually separated. Beatrice moved a hand to his cheek, looking deeply into his eyes. She could sense that the previous feelings of longing and trauma were gone, outweighed by an overwhelming sense of hope and love.
"Beatrice," he whispered, trying to catch his breath. He solidified his expression, holding her just a little tighter. "Will you marry me?"
Her face wavered and her lips quivered. She already knew that this was what he wanted, but actually hearing the question was something so completely different.
It was as if he held her heart in his hands, cradling it and spoiling it with an endless amount of love. His love.
"You silly fool," she whispered back, unable to stop her tears. "Betty already told you 'yes,' in fact."
They kissed again, sharing their passion and feelings through their actions alone. As the kiss went on, their affection deepened. They became certain that nothing could ever tear them apart.
Minutes later, they resigned to simply sit by each other's side. The soothing breeze flowed between them as they basked under the light of the moon and stars. Together, they let their eyes wander freely across the night sky.
Their expressions conveyed the peace within their souls.
"So," Subaru began, his voice gentle and soft, "was this your wish?"
Closing her eyes, Beatrice reflected on the future that she so meticulously envisioned. "Betty won't deny that this is a part of it, I suppose," she admitted. "But Betty's wish is for something much bigger."
Curious, Subaru gave her a look. "Really? What is it, then?"
"I won't tell," she responded, somewhat amusement. "Like Betty said before, when the time comes, you'll love it."
Just then, she saw something. It was small, encompassed by shadow, flying overhead and in front of the stars. With curiosity, she watched it flap its wings and fly across the night sky.
Only when it flew in front of the moon did Beatrice see the shape of a lone butterfly. Her smile ever so slightly grew.
The future still had so much in store for them. She could hardly wait to experience it.
For now, they had a new promise: a promise which would tie all of their promises into one.
They would get married. As husband and wife, they would stay together, even until the end of time.
Forever and always.
(…)
The journey back to the mansion had been relatively quiet, but the overwhelming happiness that they shared never seemed to disappear. Subaru could tell that Beatrice was unmistakably gaiety, given the giddy smile on her face, but it still felt like something was wrong.
Subaru couldn't quite put his finger on it. Because of that, he glanced over at her more than a few times during their walk home. She didn't seem to notice.
It was almost as if she was contemplating something, but what?
Despite being confused, Subaru decided to let it be. Whatever was on Beatrice's mind, it couldn't be anything bad. If it was, she wouldn't look so elated.
Plus, he wasn't going to let those thoughts hinder his mood. He was engaged now! There was simply too much to be excited about.
That shared aura of cheerfulness persisted until the two reached their room.
It was already far into the night. Getting back had been easy, but everyone aside from them was already asleep. They had to be cautious so as not to wake anyone.
They settled themselves in bed, snuggling close to one another, just like any other night. Still, Beatrice remained deep in thought.
Against his better judgment, Subaru became a little concerned.
For a moment, he looked elsewhere, hesitant as to whether his worries were for good reason or not.
He asked in a whisper, "Are you sure that this isn't too soon?"
His words snapped Beatrice out of her thoughts. She looked at him, her expression shifting to one of slight incredulousness and surprise.
"I don't want you to think that I'm having doubts or anything!" he clarified, having noticed her sudden change in mood. With a small grin on his face, he continued, "I really couldn't be happier than I am now. I promised you a lifetime of amazing memories, and I wanted to start that as soon as possible. But if things are really moving too quickly—"
Beatrice reached forward, clasping his hands and intertwining their fingers. Their eyes met, and she smiled at him with an insurmountable amount of love.
"I told you before, didn't I?" she asked. "Nothing about this is too soon, in fact. Betty has spent the last four centuries stuck to a chair, staring at a closed door, I suppose. Now that you've opened that door for me, I want to run as fast as possible, just as long as it's by your side."
Subaru instinctively snuggled closer into his fiancée, matching her smile. She likewise snuggled into him, feeling their heartbeats come into near perfect sync.
His worries had been quelled in a matter of seconds.
He felt content to fall asleep just like that. After having gone through what could be considered the best experience of his life, Subaru was more than satisfied.
"... I've decided, in fact."
Immediately after muttering those words, Beatrice moved. It happened fast, leaving Subaru with little time to react. One moment, she was at his side; the next, she was on top of him.
Though it was dark, Subaru could see her like it was day. With an anxious expression, she looked at him with unyielding conviction. She gazed down at him with half-lidded eyes, her cheeks tinted red, which his soon matched.
"Betty has been thinking." She swallowed a lump in her throat, whispering under her breath, "I don't want this to be an ordinary night, I suppose."
Subaru's eyes widened in disbelief, privy to the implications of her words. Matching her whispered tone, he stutteringly asked, "A-Are you sure?"
"More sure than anything, in fact," came her immediate reply. She brought her face closer, subsequently pressing her body against his. "We're engaged now, Subaru. I believe that it's only natural that we've come this far."
His heart nearly flatlined. Her alluring tone sent ripples throughout his entire body.
A part of him questioned the reality before him. Was this even possible? Was this really happening?
He didn't have time to ponder those questions, as he was interrupted by a passionate kiss. Driven by emotions and instinct, he wrapped his arms around her petite frame before returning the kiss in full.
It only deepened. Despite their inexperience, they both moved in tandem with their wants and desires. They felt close, but they wanted to feel closer.
When they separated, their breaths intermingled with one another. They stared intently into each other's eyes, unable to look away, as their mutual passion melded together in a beautiful bundle of love.
It wouldn't be long before their touches became irreversibly sensual, so Beatrice spoke one final time, her voice struck with sultry vigor, "Subaru, I love you."
They wholeheartedly welcomed a new phase of their relationship as they completely surrendered themselves to sensations of pure pleasure and bliss.
"Are you okay, Subaru?"
Beatrice fixed him with an uneasy gaze. She sat by his side, her right arm wrapped around his back, holding him close. She held his left hand with her own, her grip soft and sweet as she caressed the back of his palm with her thumb.
He focused on her voice and her comforting touch. It made him feel more at ease. He felt safe and secure in her arms, protected from the traumas that he harbored deep within himself.
As he controlled his breaths, his erratic heartbeat gradually began to slow. Eventually, he was able to fix Beatrice with a small, appreciative smile. "I'm okay. Thanks, Bea."
She returned his smile with one of her own. "There's no need to thank me each time, I suppose. I help you because I love you, in fact."
Even if she said that, he still felt obligated to thank her anyway. It was the least that he could do.
Subaru let himself relax, as did she. In the midst of a soothing silence, they leaned into one another in a mutual one-armed embrace.
He wouldn't be able to sleep for a while. Beatrice knew that, too. Nevertheless, neither of them cared about how late it was. They were more than content to simply stay as they were.
By now, this felt like a routine. Whenever Subaru had a nightmare, they'd always find themselves in a position just like this.
Before long, the incident completely slipped into the back of their minds. They easily found solace with each other.
… So, why did Subaru feel so alone?
He wasn't alone. He knew that.
Subaru was engaged to the girl of his dreams. Even now, she was right beside him. They were living their best lives together. Their happiness and joy went beyond even their wildest imaginations, with an amazing future waiting just ahead of them.
Despite that, Subaru always felt alone, especially after having one of his nightmares. For better or worse, he knew exactly why, too.
Darkness enshrouded his soul. From the shadows, chains bound it in place, keeping him prisoner. His soul always pulled against those chains, trying to break free, only to fail time and time again.
A resounding emptiness took hold of him. He felt so trapped — so alone — that it drove his mind back into the darkness, too.
He pulled himself back to reality by focusing on Beatrice. She whispered sweet nothings into his ear, holding him securely in her arms. She was there for him; she always was.
He felt a pang of guilt in his chest.
Despite being worried, she never doubted him, judged him, or prodded him for answers. She was always so kind and considerate — so understanding of his faults.
She'd even agreed to marry him without the slightest bit of hesitation. It was clear that she loved him so, so much, and yet he was unable to fully open up to her.
It hurt him. It made him feel like he was betraying her.
How could he proudly call himself her fiancé, or even her husband, if he was keeping such a monumental secret from her?
Words couldn't describe how much he appreciated her — how much he loved her. That love extended beyond the farthest reaches of his soul, piercing through the darkness with blinding rays of light.
That was why he was so desperate. He wanted to make his loneliness go away. He wanted to tell her everything so badly.
There was so much that he wanted to say, but he was powerless in being able to say it.
Unable to hold back his emotions any longer, he began to quietly cry.
Beatrice immediately noticed his sudden change in mood. She faced him, gently putting a hand to his cheek. As she wiped away some of his tears, she lightly pressed her forehead against his.
Her actions made his heart swell, so he held her hand just a little bit tighter.
Even if it was selfish of him, Subaru never wanted Beatrice to leave him.
He didn't want there to be a permanent rift between them. All he wanted to do was tell her.
Subaru couldn't help but curse Satella in his thoughts. He couldn't help but blame her for how lost he felt. He hated being this confined — this trapped.
Why couldn't he just tell Beatrice?
Admittedly, a part of him was scared. If he told her everything, would she still accept him? Would she start to judge him or think of him differently?
… Would she still love him?
He quickly shook his head, discarding those thoughts immediately. She always trusted him, so it was only right to keep trusting her.
Beatrice chose him. He chose her. She deserved to know everything.
He needed to believe in her. He would believe in her. That belief refused to falter.
At that moment, time stopped. Reality became swept in a cold, dark embrace. Subaru was all too familiar with this foreboding presence, but something about it felt different.
Instead of going for his heart, a hand went to his unoccupied cheek. It was chilly to the touch yet surprisingly gentle, as it wiped away some of his tears.
An icy breath tickled his ear, but it did not make him shiver.
…
"I love you."
…
Only a second passed. The chilly atmosphere faded, but its presence was felt in much more than just the memories it left behind.
Something inside of Subaru changed. He could feel his tight, binding chains ever so slightly loosen. The darkness that encroached around his soul seemed to become just a little bit thinner.
Through the darkness, Subaru could see Beatrice. It felt as though he could finally reach her.
"Subaru?"
Beatrice's voice brought him back to his senses as he met her eyes. Her gaze bore into him, shimmering with worry.
"Something about the Witch's scent …" she trailed off in a soft whisper. "It changed, I suppose."
She was doing her best to hide her distress. Subaru noticed, feeling his anxiety rise with each passing second. He took deep breaths, aiming to calm his troubled heart.
He swallowed a lump in his throat. He felt cold, instinctually afraid of the consequences that were to potentially come. No matter how hard he tried to get rid of it, that dread always found its way back to him.
The longer he remained silent, the more Beatrice's concern increased. With her eyes, she pleaded for him to answer her — to be okay.
She could only stare into his eyes, watching as his pupils shook with unbridled emotion. They bore an earnestness that she couldn't describe. She became entranced by it, unable to look away.
It was like he was calling out to her — like he wanted her help.
She squeezed on his hand, trying to let him know that she was right here. He squeezed back.
Beatrice didn't speak as Subaru gently removed her hand from his cheek. Even as he interlocked their fingers, she still didn't utter a single word.
"Beatrice," he muttered with a staggered breath. "There's something that I need to tell you."
"You can tell me anything, Subaru," she replied. "Betty is always willing to listen."
Beatrice was suddenly reminded of the conversation they'd had months ago. Their exchange had gone almost exactly like this, but that did little to appease her unsteady heart.
Nevertheless, she gave him a small smile. Summoning every ounce of courage, she aimed to convey her support to him. She wanted him to know that everything was, and will be, okay.
The warmth she carried spread to him. It ignited a raging flame, one which burned brighter than ever before.
Subaru steeled his emotions. He gathered his resolve. It showed in his eyes, and Beatrice could see it all too well.
"I can—"
He cut himself off as an instinctual trepidation crept up his back. He squeezed her hand for comfort once more. She reciprocated.
She was with him, right at his side. That reassurance put him at ease. It increased his will and confidence, giving him the energy to say what he's always wanted to say.
He hardened his gaze, and, with one deep breath, he exclaimed, "I can Return by Death!"
Subaru clenched his eyes shut, tensing every muscle in his body, as he awaited the inevitable consequences.
He waited. And waited. And waited.
… Nothing happened?
As he slowly opened his eyes, Subaru realized that he was aware of his surroundings. He looked down at himself, seeing nothing amiss. He could even feel Beatrice's hand as it tightly gripped his own.
Nothing happened.
Disbelief overwhelmed his entire being. He yelled out again, "I can Return by Death!"
Nothing.
"I can Return by Death!"
Nothing.
"I can Return by Death!"
Nothing.
Subaru repeated it over, and over, and over again until his words melded into his sobs.
He just couldn't believe it. He could finally tell her — no, he finally did tell her.
All of a sudden, his soul felt lighter. It felt more free.
With a burst of realization, he looked at Beatrice with widened eyes. She looked back at him with a squinted gaze, leaking tears. "What— What are you talking about?" she quietly asked. "Betty doesn't understand."
She looked so lost — so confused. It tore him apart.
Subaru practically tackled her, enveloping her in the tightest, most secure hug he'd ever given her. He wept into her shoulder, all while she remained bewildered and shaken.
He never wanted to let her go.
"Subaru …" She sniffled, pressing her face into his shoulder as she, too, continued to cry. With a muffled voice, she pleaded, "Please, tell Betty what's going on. Please. Betty doesn't understand."
"I know," he muttered, holding her just a little bit closer. He tried his best to calm down, but to no avail. He was just so happy. "There's so much that I have to tell you. So much."
Acknowledging her feelings as well as their situation, Subaru forced himself to separate from her. Her confusion was palpable, as was her worry, and Subaru knew it.
Despite that, Beatrice wiped away her tears and looked at him with earnest eyes. He could see the spark of determination that ignited within them. "Anything, Subaru," she said, her voice encouraging and firm. "You can tell Betty anything, no matter what, in fact. Betty will always listen."
Unbothered by his falling tears, he gave her a soft smile. He spoke with uneven breaths, "You sure it won't be a burden?"
"You will never be a burden to me, in fact."
He looked down, his smile undeterred. "I'll probably cry a lot."
She fixed him with a smile, too. "Then cry on Betty's shoulder, I suppose."
Her fiery resolve sept into her tone. It made him feel warm inside. "It'll be hard," he murmured, finding it difficult to meet her eyes. "After this, I'll be— You might—"
"Subaru," Beatrice interrupted him, her voice resolute. When he finally found the courage to look at her again, he found nothing but compassion in her gaze. "You will always be Betty's precious Subaru. I will always be with you, in fact. No matter what, I will make you happy, I suppose."
They didn't need to repeat their shared promise, as it was always known in their hearts.
He looked at her in awe, as his heart and soul soared with an overflow of emotions. Fruitlessly wiping his tears, he let out a soft laugh.
"I love you so much, Beatrice."
Instantly, she replied, "I love you too, Subaru."
Without hesitation, he spilled his deepest secrets to the person whom he loved the most. For hours, he told her everything from beginning to end, leaving nothing out.
He told her about Return by Death. He told her about his many loops, becoming more emotional with each death that he described. Beatrice never once let go of him, fearing that he'd disappear the moment she did.
Subaru bared his heart to her. They cried so much that their tears eventually ran dry.
For so long, he was forced to be alone. He could truly say that, now, he would never be alone again.
When the sun eventually rose, Subaru had already fallen asleep in her arms. He had finally said everything that he wanted to say. It exhausted him, but he was satisfied. He was happy.
Beatrice remained awake, however. She only looked down at her Subaru with an affectionate stare, feeling her admiration for him grow ever stronger. Yet, at the same time, her eyes were filled with fear.
"Choose me, Beatrice!"
… Why did he choose her? Did she even deserve to take his hand?
Subaru had done his best to reassure her that nothing was her fault, but she still blamed herself. Had she been better, perhaps he wouldn't have suffered as much as he did.
Determination suddenly became forefront in her expression, her gaze never once wavering. Subaru never lost faith in her. He believed in her.
He truly, genuinely loved her.
With every fiber of her being, she would earnestly uphold their promise. She wouldn't let those negative thoughts influence her, nor would she let his faith go unfulfilled.
She would make him the happiest man in the world.
Beatrice continued to watch his sleeping face. In spite of everything they'd talked about, he looked so peaceful. She wanted nothing more than for him to always stay that way.
"Subaru," she tenderly whispered. "Your Bea will always protect you."
—
Beatrice burst into Roswaal's office, swinging the doors open with unbridled vigor. She strode towards him, each step imbued with purpose.
Roswaal merely looked up, paying no heed to his damaged doors. He smiled slyly, amused by Beatrice's unruly expression.
He intertwined his hands atop his desk. "My, Myyy," he sang. "That's quiiite the face you're making theeere."
She stopped before his desk. Her eyes bore into him, silent yet foreboding. Roswaal observed her carefully, watching as her body shook with contained fury and rage.
His amusement didn't falter. He knew that something had happened, but he could only wonder as to what.
Roswaal rested his hands beneath his chin as he let out a dramatic hum. "I wooonder, why have you cooome here in such a staaate?"
Beatrice refused to move, but her eyes remained trained on him like a predator watching its prey. His eyes narrowed at her, disapproving of her restraint.
Suddenly, his expression changed, his voice cold as he asked, "Does your precious Subaru-kun know that you're here?"
With rage endowed in her power, she raised a palm, emitting a shockwave that sent Roswaal flying back and out of his chair. His desk remained unmoving, but various papers and supplies rained down as Beatrice moved forward once again.
Roswaal slammed against the back wall with a loud thud, falling to the floor. He recovered quickly, rising to his hands and knees as he fixed Beatrice with his signature smile. "What could I have pooossibly dooone to make you so maaad?"
Beatrice stopped in front of him with a scowl, narrowing her eyes. It was clear to her that he wasn't taking this seriously.
In a rising fit of frustration, her foot was delivered to Roswaal's cheek in the form of a heavy blow. The impact sent his head reeling back, nearly hitting the wall once more.
The man only chuckled as his cheek stained red, looking at her with amused yet serious eyes. It seemed as though he was finally dropping his facade.
Sarcastically, he asked, "What could I have ever possibly done to Sub—"
"Don't you dare speak his name," she interrupted with an icy tone, delivering another resounding kick to his cheek.
Roswaal stayed silent as he recovered again, feigning thought as he looked up at her.
Beatrice was enraged. She was even striking him. Nothing could anger her to such an extent, unless—
With glazed eyes, he looked up at her with realization, whispering, "So, you know about the true nature of our bet—"
Roswaal was struck by her fist with so much force that his head actually hit the wall. The impact resulted in another loud thud, causing his breath to stagger for a moment. He quickly readjusted himself as he spit some blood out of his mouth.
"I know about much more than just your little bet, Roswaal." She leaned down, grabbing him by the hair. She pulled his head up, forcing him to meet her eyes. "You're a delusional, repulsive, and conniving man, in fact."
Roswaal ignored the soreness of his face, choosing to chuckle at Beatrice's words. "I don't see the issue, Betty. I have already apologized for—"
She released his hair, throwing his head back into the wall. "You owe Subaru much more than an apology, in fact," she told him with a disgusted scoff. "And don't call me by that name, I suppose."
He finally seemed irked as he narrowed his eyes. "It was all for teacher's sake. I'm sure that even you can understand that."
"Oh, I understand, all right," Beatrice spat. She fixed him with a nasty glare, her voice filled with conviction as she spoke again, "From here on, I will be denouncing mother, in fact!"
Roswaal's eyes widened as he nearly fell back in shock. He stared at her in silence for a few moments, only for an infuriating laughter to emanate from his lips. Beatrice scowled at him, unamused by his antics.
"You cannot be serious," he mocked in disbelief, his voice tainted with fleeting chuckles. "You, denouncing teacher? Don't make me laugh, Betty."
With resolve, she punched him again. "I told you not to call me by that name!" she exclaimed. "I will be Subaru's Bea from now on, in fact!"
He glowered at her, disgusted by her declaration. "You would seriously choose that abhorrent nickname over the name that teacher gave you?"
"Without hesitation."
Her expression hardened, unrelenting in her decision. Echidna had abandoned her long ago. Subaru didn't, nor would he ever.
Roswaal's irritation only grew in the wake of Beatrice's unwavering determination. With a dark chuckle, he commented, "How pretentious."
He adjusted himself where he sat, suddenly becoming conscious of the pain in his cheeks. Beatrice only fixed him with a harsh look, keeping herself restrained.
When he looked up at her again, he asked with a mocking tone, "Did your dear Subaru-kun send you here to teach me a lesson?"
A loud smack resonated from his cheek. "Subaru's Bea is here on her own volition, I suppose."
Roswaal hummed tauntingly. "Without his knowledge, then?" he rhetorically asked with an amused chuckle. "I wonder what he'd think of you if he ever found out about this."
"He won't," she said, her voice confident and firm. "Because I have but one thing to say to you, Roswaal."
He scowled at her, his voice seeping with newfound revulsion. "And what would that be?"
Beatrice took a deep breath, looking down on him with a contemptuous sneer. "Stay away from my Subaru."
With that said, she turned her back to him. With an eerie calmness, she walked away, heading straight for the door without even once looking back.
Roswaal rose from his groveling form, coming to his feet. "Was that all this was about?" he asked, sending a glare to the back of her head. "Just a meager warning?"
"And to vent my anger, I suppose."
"How cathartic of you," Roswaal spat, only to scoff. "And what if I choose not to heed your little warning, Beatrice?"
She stopped just as she reached the door. Silently, she turned her head to the side, barely sparing him a glance.
Menacingly, she spoke, "If you dare to approach my Subaru again, then I will kill you myself, in fact."
Roswaal could only watch her retreating back as she left the room, leaving him alone to ponder her words.
Beatrice's resolve was set. She would protect Subaru with all of her heart. She would be there for him, even if nobody else was.
In the midst of a beautiful city, all five of Lugnica's Royal Candidates reunited. Amongst them were their respective camps and, naturally, their personal knights.
As the Candidates sat and discussed amongst themselves, Subaru and Beatrice stood together, hand in hand. They simply observed and enjoyed the collective atmosphere, occasionally mingling with small talk of their own.
While their trip was supposed to be a political excursion, it felt like a small vacation to them. It was nice.
Suddenly, during a walk, Subaru's grip tightened around Beatrice's hand like a vice. Her eyes widened, looking at him with a mix of panic and shock.
His breaths staggered, his face pale. He was shaken, worried, and scared. It gave her heart pause.
Beatrice did her best to control her uneven breaths, squeezing his hand to help assure him that she was there.
They shared a look, and through their eyes conveyed a message that nobody else could understand.
Fear filled their hearts, but that didn't sway them. Their respective assurance gave them confidence and strength. As long they were together, nothing could stop them.
It was their promise — their vow — but also so much more.
No matter what may come, or who they may face, they will remain together. Forever and always.